A balsamica is a decorative container used to store aromatic herbs, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg, used during Havdalah – the prayer that concludes the Sabbath. Havdalah, or the separation of the time of celebration and rest from the daily routine, symbolizes the separation of the faithful from the rest of the world. Fragrant aromas are meant to symbolically ease the passage of this phase. A balsamica is usually made of silver, less often of other metals or glass. It usually takes the form of a tower topped with a spire and a pennant – like those in the exhibition. In Poland, it is also popular in the form of fruit and flowers on stems. The presented balsamica, standing in the center of the shelf, is made of silver using the filigree technique. It was created between 1866 and 1872 in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is marked with Austrian goldsmith’s marks.
